Expanded deer collision warning for A9 in Sutherland

A red deer stag silhouetted against a hazy blue background. The stag has its head turned towards the viewer and has an impressive set of antlers. Getty Images

Red deer move from high ground to lower pastures in autumn

An annual road safety campaign aimed at reducing collisions between deer and traffic has been expanded to include a longer stretch of the A9 in Sutherland.

Scotland's nature body NatureScot said data suggested an increased risk of incidents in the Navidale area north of Helmsdale.

Electronic signs will display warnings along a nine mile (15km) section of the A9 from Lothbeg to Ord of Caithness from 1 to 29 November.

NatureScot said the risk of collisions was heightened in autumn because red deer moved from higher moorland to better pasture on lower ground.

A red deer stag bellowing.
Getty Images
In numbers:

A9 Lothbeg to Ord of Caithness

  • 20Collisions in 2013 on this stretch of trunk road in the north Highlands, many involving red deer.

  • 6Roughly the number each year over the past nine years. Culling to control deer numbers a factor.

    Source: NatureScot
    In numbers:. A9 Lothbeg to Ord of Caithness [ 20 Collisions in 2013 on this stretch of trunk road in the north Highlands, many involving red deer. ],[ 6 Roughly the number each year over the past nine years. Culling to control deer numbers a factor. ] , Source: Source: NatureScot, Image: A red deer stag bellowing.

    An estimated 1,850 collisions involving traffic and deer have occurred every year in Scotland since 2016.

    The highest number of collisions occur in the Highlands, according to figures released in 2023.

    Between 2008 and 2021 there were 555 incidents involving vehicles and deer on Highland roads.

    Argyll and Bute has the second highest figure - 369 - followed by Dumfries and Galloway with 161.

    But problems have also been identified in parts of central Scotland.

    Related topics

    Related internet links